Ambulance crash woman 'critical'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/essex/5332036.stm

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A 30-year-old woman is fighting for her life and her three-year-old son is in a critical condition after their car was in a crash with an ambulance.

The ambulance was answering an emergency call when the crash happened at Wix on the A120 in Essex.

The ambulance ended up in a field, but its crew were unhurt and treated the injured car driver and her son until other emergency staff arrived.

The ambulance service and police are now conducting an inquiry.

The injured woman was airlifted from the scene to Colchester General Hospital, but later transferred Oldchurch Hospital in Romford.

Her son was transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, where his condition is described as critical but stable.

The East of England Ambulance Service said no patients were on board the ambulance at the time of the crash.

The vehicle was attending an incident and using its blue lights.

Investigation underway

Paul Leaman, ambulance service chief operating officer in Essex, said: "There was a mother and her son in the car. The woman was trapped.

"The ambulance crew quickly assessed their injuries and started treating them while they waited for back up to arrive.

"A full investigation has been launched by the service's own crash investigation team, in co-operation with officers from Essex Police.

"It is too early to give any indications as to what happened."

Kevin Thornicroft, of Essex Fire and Rescue, said: "The front passenger side of the car took the full impact of the crash and had the little boy been bigger, he would probably have died in the accident.

"The fact that he was so small meant that he didn't take the full impact.

"He was also offered good protection by the child seat he was strapped into."

The section of the road was closed for nearly five hours and Essex Police are appealing for witnesses.